Common Gynecological Infections
Women's reproductive health is crucial to overall well-being, fertility, and sexual health and relationships. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prevent, identify, and treat common gynecological infections.
First is bacterial vaginosis or BV. This infection used to be thought of as a sexually transmitted infection, however, it has now been identified as an imbalance of normal vaginal bacteria. The vagina is very efficient at keeping pH and bacteria within a strict range. Sometimes though, as is the case with BV, the normal bacteria of the vagina becomes out of balance. This imbalance can be due to things like douching, unprotected sex, and lack of condom use, among other things. BV manifests with gray-colored discharge, fishy vaginal odor, and vaginal itching. This infection is typically self-limiting, meaning it does not require treatment, however, sometimes it will require antibiotic therapy.
Another common gynecological infection is yeast Infection or candidiasis. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of, you guessed it, yeast within the vagina and the tissue surrounding the vagina. These can be idiopathic, meaning there is no defined cause, or be caused by certain clothing items (tight fitting clothing without breathability), antibiotics, exposure to irritants like lubricants, douching, spermicides, etc., or uncontrolled diabetes. Manifestations include itching, burning with urination, and thick white discharge. Yeast infections are treated with antifungals orally or topically. Oral antifungals act systemically and must be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Topical antifungals are widely available over the counter at pharmacies and grocery stores. Just make sure the antifungals used are specific for the vagina. The moral of the story, ditch the leather pants no matter how great they look.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are not technically gynecological infections, however, the urinary tract is part of the genitourinary system. Urinary tract infections can also be idiopathic or caused by poor hygiene, not washing/urinating after sex, dehydration, and/or not wiping front to back. Manifestations of UTIs in young women include pain with urination (dysuria), frequency of urination, and/or cloudy or bloody urine. As women age, the manifestations may change and include confusion and/or weakness. UTIs must be treated with antibiotics but drinking water and emptying the bladder frequently will help flush out the bacteria. Bladder analgesics, which are available over the counter, help with the pain but be warned, they do not kill the bacteria and turn the urine bright orange.
The big bad one. We have to talk about it. Sexually transmitted infections, formerly known as sexually transmitted diseases. The verbiage has changed in recent years because many of these “diseases” are very treatable infections caused by bacteria or viruses! STIs are caused by exactly what the name implies, having sex with someone infected with that bacteria or virus. The manifestations depend on the STI, some do not have any manifestations! Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes and they all present with diverse symptoms or may be asymptomatic. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are treated with specific antibiotic regimens and once treated can no longer be transmitted through sex. Herpes requires an antiviral medication to reduce outbreaks but once you have been infected with herpes, you will likely have repeat outbreaks that will require antiviral medication. Having sex with a person with active lesions often transmits the disease! Keep in mind that oral lesions can be transmitted to the genitals through oral sex. Safe sex is crucial in preventing STI transmission. That means condoms. Withdrawal or the “pull out” method is used as a means of preventing pregnancy, though that is a whole other can of worms and blog post, but it does NOT prevent STIs. YOU MUST USE A CONDOM!
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the reproductive organs caused by migration of bacteria from the vagina/cervix into the pelvic cavity. This causes inflammation within the reproductive system and manifests as pelvic pain, fever, and sometimes even infertility. The most common causes of PID are chlamydia or gonorrhea infection. PID is treated with antibiotics, the sooner the better to prevent long-term complications!
Trichomoniasis is another STI however instead of a bacteria or virus, this infection is caused by a protozoan which is a PARASITE! Manifestations of trichomoniasis include itching, burning, and yellow/green frothy discharge. This is commonly treated with an antibiotic medication called Metronidazole which is also used for parasitic infections.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the most common STI and it is also the riskiest because it can cause cervical cancer! Most people with HPV are asymptomatic but it can present with genital warts. There is no cure for HPV but vaccines are available to prevent infection of strains that commonly cause cancer. Regular PAP smears are vital to detect any abnormality of the cervical cells that can lead to cancer, the earlier these changes are detected the better!
Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix that can be caused by any number of factors including sexually transmitted infections, allergy, douching, etc. Manifestations include abnormal discharge, pain, and bleeding. It is typically best to identify the cause of the cervicitis to determine appropriate treatment.
Understanding the manifestations and treatments of common gynecological infections is vital for women's health. Practicing safe sex, seeking regular gynecological check-ups, and promptly addressing any symptoms can contribute to early detection and effective management of these infections. If you suspect an infection, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and treatment. Remember, your reproductive health is a priority, and proactive care plays a key role in maintaining it.
